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Apple has officially unveiled the iPhone 17 lineup, introducing significant upgrades across its models. The new series includes the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max, each offering enhanced performance, camera capabilities, and design improvements. Release Date & Pricing Pre-orders: Begin on Friday, September 12, 2025, at 5:00 a.m. PT. Availability: Devices will be available starting Friday, September 19, 2025. Key Takeaways A19 Pro Chip: All models are powered by the new A19 Pro chip, delivering faster performance and improved energy efficiency. Camera Enhancements: The Pro models feature triple 48MP Fusion cameras, including the longest optical zoom ever on an iPhone at 8x. Design Overhaul: The iPhone 17 series introduces a new heat-forged aluminum unibody design, enhancing durability and performance. Adapted From: https://variety.com/2025/digital/news/iphone-17-price-release-date-1236512654/

Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has announced a leadership election scheduled for October 4, following the resignation of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. Ishiba stepped down after the LDP suffered significant losses in recent elections, leading to a loss of its parliamentary majority. The upcoming election will determine the new party president, who is expected to become the next prime minister, given the LDP's dominant position in the Diet. The election process will involve a 12-day campaign period, culminating in a vote by both LDP lawmakers and party members. The frontrunners include veteran politician Sanae Takaichi, former economic security minister, and Shinjiro Koizumi, the current agriculture minister and son of former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. Takaichi is known for her conservative stance and opposition to the Bank of Japan's interest rate hikes, while Koizumi is recognized for his efforts to address rising rice prices. The new leader will face pressing challenges, including a rapidly aging population, a substantial national debt, and an economy grappling with inflation. The LDP's ability to unite and address these issues will be crucial in determining its future political standing. Key Takeaways: Election Date: The LDP will elect a new leader on October 4, 2025. Frontrunners: Sanae Takaichi and Shinjiro Koizumi are leading candidates. Challenges Ahead: The new leader will confront economic and demographic issues impacting Japan's future. Adapted From: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/japan-ruling-party-ldp-pick-new-leader-pm-oct-4-5339866

Leaked documents suggest former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson may have used his post-office influence to assist a private business venture targeting Abu Dhabi’s wealth. The files, dubbed the “Boris Files” and reviewed by the Guardian, indicate Johnson was hired by Bia Advisory, a relatively unknown climate finance firm, as its “principal adviser” to open doors with the UAE’s ruling elite. The venture aimed to secure backing from Mubadala, Abu Dhabi’s $300 billion sovereign investment fund. Johnson’s connections, forged during his time as London mayor, foreign secretary, and prime minister, were reportedly seen as crucial for persuading UAE leaders to invest in the climate-focused initiative. Documents show he courted a senior Abu Dhabi official he had previously hosted at No 10 Downing Street, raising questions over potential breaches of ethics rules regarding former prime ministers lobbying foreign officials for personal gain. Bia Advisory’s plan involved leveraging Johnson’s reputation and network to position the UAE rulers as patrons of a lucrative climate finance initiative. Johnson’s former staffer, Shelley Williams-Walker, was involved in orchestrating these introductions, drawing on her prior experience in Downing Street and at the Office of Boris Johnson. While former PMs are entitled to £115,000 annually from taxpayer funds for public duties, the leaked files suggest Johnson’s activities may have blurred the line between public and private interests. The revelations come amid ongoing scrutiny of Johnson’s post-premiership work and the ethical implications of former leaders engaging in private business lobbying abroad. The documents highlight potential risks when high-profile political figures leverage relationships cultivated in public office for private financial gain, reigniting debate over transparency and accountability in post-office engagements. Key Takeaways: Boris Johnson allegedly lobbied a senior Abu Dhabi official for a private business venture. Bia Advisory aimed to secure investment from Mubadala’s $300bn sovereign fund. Leaked files raise ethics questions about former PMs using political influence for profit. Adapted From: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/sep/09/boris-johnson-secretly-lobbied-uae-business-venture-leak-suggests

Spain’s left-wing minority government has advanced a bold draft tobacco law, now approved by cabinet, to rein in smoking and vaping in a wide array of public spaces, with an eye on public health and shifting consumption habits . Under the proposal, smoking and vaping—including e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches, herbal smoking items, shisha, and tobacco-heating devices—would be banned in both indoor and outdoor settings. This spans bar and restaurant terraces, stadiums, sports centres, playgrounds, bus stops, and educational facilities . Advertising, marketing, or sponsorship of these products would also be prohibited . The bill extends familiar indoor bans first enacted in 2005 (workplaces) and 2010 (bars, restaurants), updating them for modern products and outdoor realities . Health Minister Mónica García Gómez framed the law as restoring Spain's leadership in tobacco control, citing that smoking contributes to roughly 50,000 deaths annually in the country—about 140 per day—and is linked to 30 percent of cancers . Yet the draft is not without controversy: proposals for plain (generic) cigarette packaging and tax hikes on tobacco products were dropped amid internal government disagreements . Anti-smoking groups, like the CNPT, voiced alarm that without plain packaging—adopted by 40+ countries—the law may fall short of curbing youth uptake . The bill still needs parliamentary approval and may be shaped further in debate. If enacted, it would significantly widen smoke-free zones in Spain, especially on terraces. Key Takeaways Terrace and outdoor smoking ban: Smoking and vaping—including e-cigs, herbal products, and nicotine pouches—would be prohibited on bar and restaurant terraces, stadiums, bus stops, playgrounds, and more. Expanded regulation beyond tobacco: The draft extends restrictions to modern alternatives, banning advertising and treating them like conventional cigarettes. Missing features spark concern: Plain packaging and tax increases were dropped, drawing criticism from health advocates even as the government seeks to modernise tobacco control. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/sep/09/spanish-government-moves-ban-smoking-bar-terraces

Majorca hotel protest escalates as activists target Israeli chain Pro-Palestinian activists staged a dramatic protest on Sunday at a hotel in Palmanova, Majorca, owned by an Israeli chain. Demonstrators poured red dye into the swimming pool to resemble blood, symbolising solidarity with Palestinians and condemning Israel’s actions. Local authorities described the move as both a political statement and an act of vandalism. Majorca, already under strain from ongoing anti-overtourism protests, now faces growing political demonstrations that threaten its vital tourism industry. Activists issued a statement linking their action to “more than 700 days of escalating Zionist genocide against the Palestinian people,” accusing the hotel group of financially supporting and “whitewashing” Israeli policies. The protest coincided with Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announcing new measures against Israel. On Monday, Sánchez confirmed that Spain will ban aircraft and vessels carrying weapons to Israel from using Spanish ports and airspace. He also pledged increased funding for the Palestinian Authority and the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), alongside a prohibition on imports from Israeli settlements in occupied territories. Activists claim the Israeli-owned hotel represents more than a tourism venture, calling it part of a propaganda machine that entrenches colonial control in Palestine. While local tourism leaders worry about reputational damage to Majorca’s hospitality sector, supporters argue the protest highlights Spain’s growing role in applying political pressure on Israel. The incident reflects the intersection of tourism, politics, and global conflicts, showing how destinations like Majorca can become stages for international disputes. Adapted From: https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/2106562/majorca-hotel-palestine-protest

Public collapse: Elisabet Lann fainted during her first press briefing as Sweden’s new health minister. Sweden’s new Health Minister, Elisabet Lann, collapsed during her first press conference in Stockholm, creating shockwaves across Swedish politics. The 48-year-old Christian Democrat had just stepped into the role after Acko Ankarberg Johansson resigned, and was standing beside Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson when she suddenly fainted, bringing down the podium with her. Journalists and government officials immediately rushed to help. Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch was among the first to assist, placing Lann into the recovery position until medical staff arrived. The briefing was paused as security and health personnel ensured her safety. Lann re-appeared shortly afterwards, assuring reporters she felt well enough to continue. She explained the collapse as a result of a sudden blood sugar drop, adding wryly that it was “not exactly a normal Tuesday.” No serious injury was reported, though it remains unclear whether she later received further medical checks. The dramatic moment placed Lann under intense public attention on her very first day in office. Before her ministerial appointment, she was a municipal commissioner in Gothenburg and an active member of the Christian Democrats. Her experience in local politics positioned her as a trusted figure to take over the health ministry, but the collapse highlighted the pressures facing Sweden’s political leaders. The incident overshadowed the government’s planned announcements, but also showed Lann’s determination to continue in her new post despite the rocky start. Swedish media and international outlets widely covered the collapse, turning her first appearance as health minister into an unexpected global headline. Adapted From: https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/36641997/sweden-elisabet-lann-collapses/

Japan’s political landscape has been shaken yet again as Prime Minister Toshihiro Ishiba announced his resignation, following a series of electoral defeats for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). Ishiba, who assumed office in 2024, called for a snap election shortly after taking office, insisting the public should judge his administration quickly. The electorate responded decisively, delivering the LDP its worst lower house result in over a decade. Rising inflation, surging living costs, and lingering public anger over a corruption scandal involving senior LDP members contributed to the party’s poor performance. Earlier in the year, the LDP also lost its majority in the upper house elections, compounding pressure on Ishiba. Ishiba initially resisted calls to step down, emphasising his responsibility to manage ongoing trade negotiations with Washington. However, internal party pressure intensified ahead of a leadership vote that could have forced his removal. Recognising the inevitable, Ishiba chose to resign, a decision described by political analyst Tomohiko Taniguchi as a move to avoid public humiliation and acknowledge accountability for the LDP’s electoral setbacks. This resignation marks the latest in a string of rapid turnovers in Japan’s premiership since 2020. Yoshihide Suga succeeded Shinzo Abe following Abe’s resignation over health issues but stepped down after just a year due to falling popularity. Fumio Kishida followed, winning the 2021 election but struggling with low approval amid scandal and economic concerns, ultimately paving the way for Ishiba’s brief tenure. The LDP now faces a period of uncertainty as it searches for new leadership ahead of upcoming political challenges. Analysts suggest that party reform and public trust restoration will be crucial for the LDP’s future electoral success. Link: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c62l9488ljlo

A boat from the Global Sumud Flotilla for Gaza, carrying climate activist Greta Thunberg, was reportedly hit by a drone in Tunisian waters. Tunisia has denied the claim, saying an explosion originated inside the vessel, and a National Guard spokesperson stated the reports “have no basis in truth.” The Portuguese-flagged boat, carrying the flotilla’s steering committee, caught fire, damaging its main deck and below-deck storage, though all six passengers and crew are reported safe. Following the incident, dozens gathered at Sidi Bou Said port, waving Palestinian flags and chanting in solidarity with Gaza. The flotilla announced an investigation into the alleged drone attack, stressing that acts of aggression would not deter their mission to break the siege on Gaza and support its people. The flotilla is an international humanitarian initiative, supported by delegations from 44 countries, seeking to deliver aid via civilian boats. Israel has maintained a naval blockade of Gaza since 2007, citing security concerns. Recent reports from aid organisations and the World Health Organisation have warned of mass starvation in Gaza, which Israel denies, though limited aid has been allowed into the territory under international pressure. Adapted From: https://metro.co.uk/2025/09/09/greta-thunbergs-flotilla-gaza-catches-fire-hit-drone-24113495/

Prague, one of Europe’s most picturesque capitals, is preparing for a striking new landmark on its skyline. Unlike many cities that protect their historic silhouettes, Prague has approved a bold departure: a 135-metre (442ft) skyscraper incorporating the dramatic form of a rusted shipwreck sculpture jutting from its side. The project, named Top Tower, will be the tallest building in Czechia, surpassing Brno’s AZ Tower by nine metres. The design merges high-rise architecture with post-apocalyptic art, featuring the hull of a crashed ship embedded into the tower’s upper floors. Planned for Nové Butovice, a fast-developing business district in the southwest of the city, the tower is intended to symbolise climate catastrophe and human resilience. The dramatic visual statement reflects both a cautionary tale and a futuristic vision for Prague’s evolving skyline.

France’s government has collapsed after Prime Minister François Bayrou lost a no-confidence vote in the National Assembly. The margin was decisive—364 deputies voted against him, 194 in favour, and 25 abstained. Bayrou, in office for just nine months, must now formally resign. The political fallout is immediate and fraught. President Emmanuel Macron has been asked to accept the resignation and is expected to appoint a new prime minister “in the coming days.” Alternatively, he could dissolve the Assembly and call snap elections—something Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally is pushing for. Macron could even trigger early presidential elections, though he wouldn’t be eligible to run again, as his second term ends in 2027. Adapted From: https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/2105997/french-government-collapses-mps-decide

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Unnecessary comment removed & also a reply. Be polite and respectful to other users.

Two off topic posts removed. Thread is about Thailand & not the UK

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A court in Córdoba, Argentina, has sentenced nurse Brenda Cecilia Agüero to life in prison for killing five babies and attempting to kill eight more. The case began in March 2022 at Hospital Materno Neonatal Ramón Carrillo, when a healthy infant suddenly went into cardiorespiratory distress. In the following weeks, more newborns collapsed under similar circumstances, prompting doctors to raise the alarm. On June 6 and 7, 2022, two babies died and two others nearly perished during Agüero’s shift. Families and staff reported unexplained needle marks, while autopsies later revealed lethal potassium levels in some victims and abnormally high insulin in others. Prosecutors said the injections had no medical justification and directly caused the deaths. On June 18, 2025, a jury found Agüero guilty of aggravated murder and attempted murder. Survivors include one child left with severe neurological damage and another with scoliosis caused by injections. She will serve her sentence at Bouwer Penitentiary, with parole possible after 35 years. Adapted From: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/neonatal-nurse-killed-five-babies-35864929

Asylum seekers are expected to be moved from hotels into former military bases as the Prime Minister advances the next phase of his government’s migration strategy. Reports suggest that the Ministry of Defence sites could be brought into use within weeks, with an announcement likely to come from the new Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood. The shift follows months of protests outside hotels that have been housing migrants across the country. The situation has become one of the government’s most pressing challenges, sparking heated debate and local opposition in many areas. Labour has pledged to end the use of hotels for migrants by 2029, but Sir Keir Starmer is understood to have pressed the Home Office to accelerate the timetable. Dozens of hotels could be closed far sooner than expected, as the government seeks alternative accommodation and aims to reduce reliance on the current system. Adapted From: https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2105358/keir-starmer-migrant-housing-military-barracks

Calm down please, gentlemen. Thank you

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Post with video but no text removed. @fondue zoo

A former Alaska Airlines pilot has admitted trying to shut down the engines of a packed passenger jet mid-flight after taking psychedelic mushrooms. Joseph David Emerson, off-duty in the cockpit of a flight from Everett, Washington, to San Francisco, told the crew “I am not okay” before grabbing at the controls. He later told police he had taken mushrooms and was battling depression. Emerson pleaded guilty in federal court and no-contest in Oregon to reckless endangerment and first-degree endangering an aircraft. He has already served 50 days in jail, was handed five years’ probation, 664 hours of community service, and must pay $60,659 (£44,907) in restitution. Prosecutors want a one-year federal prison term, while his lawyers will argue against more jail time. Deputy District Attorney Eric Pickard called his actions “reckless, selfish, and criminal,” stressing how narrowly 84 lives were spared on Flight 2059. In court, Emerson admitted he couldn’t perceive reality under the drugs, but added: “That doesn’t make this right. Adapted From: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gq9n6kwxeo

No, it's not. Just ignore the sign-in.

A major fire broke out in White City, west London, during the early hours of Saturday at the former BBC headquarters. Around 100 firefighters and 15 fire engines were sent to the nine-storey building on Wood Lane shortly after 3am. The blaze was concentrated at the Helios Building, part of the Television Centre complex, which now contains flats and a restaurant. By late morning, smoke was still rising from the rooftop rotunda as crews used a drone for aerial monitoring while onlookers gathered nearby. Firefighters were deployed from Hammersmith, North Kensington, Kensington, and Chiswick. Two 32-metre turntable ladders were used as water towers to fight the flames from above. The fire affected upper floors, including a restaurant, external decking, and ducting, with several flats possibly damaged. The cause of the blaze has not yet been confirmed. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/sep/06/fire-bbc-hq-london-television-centre-helios-building